Tasmanocephalus
stephensi
Trilobites
Order Incertae sedis*; Family Missisquoiidae
Geological
Time: Early Ordovician Early Arenig Stage (~480 Million years ago)
Size (25.4mm=1
inch): Anterior: 17 mm by 15 mm Posterior: 23 mm long (with spines) by
25 mm wide on a 52 mm by 50 mm matrix
Fossil Site:
Caroline Creek Sandstone Group, Latrobe, Northern Tasmania, Australia
Fossil Code:
AAF38
Price: Sold
|  Description:
This is an example of a rare Tasmanian trilobite. The derivation
of the genus name is quite obvious. While the Family is known, the
Order to which the Missisquoiidae belongs has been in dispute –
they have been variously assigned to the Ptychopariida, the Corynexochida,
and the Proetida. The location from which this one was collected
has several types of trilobites, none of which has been found complete.
Notice the spines present on this one. There is a negative impression
of a partial cranidium between the spines. It is unfortunate that
the thorax is not present; nevertheless, I was told that it is the
most complete example known. I would certainly love to see a complete
example; it would be a most impressive specimen, indeed!
*Incertae
sedis —"of uncertain position (seat)"— is
a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships
are unknown or undefined
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